SC produces strong orders against child labour
NEW DELHI: On Monday the Supreme Court citing the fundamental rights directed the Central government to issue a notification prohibiting the employment of children in Indian circuses.
A bench of Justice Dalbir Bhandari and Justice Deepak Verma said, “In order to protect the fundamental rights of these children under Article 21 of the Constitution, we direct the Centre to issue suitable notification prohibiting their employment in circuses.”
The order came in the wake of a petition filed by an NGO, Bachpan Bachao Andolan, which has drawn the attention of the court to the widespread prevalence of child labour, including in circuses, and also trafficking in children.
The apex court said the children being rescued should be kept in separate rooms or after due verification may be handed over to their parents if they were willing.
The court directed the human resource development and the women and children development ministries to prepare a scheme for rehabilitation of the rescued children.
